The women’s singles draw didn’t favor Eugenie Bouchard and Sloane Stephens too much at the Citi Open. Stephens was eliminated early in the first round while Bouchard fell in the second round. The duo rallied together in the doubles draw.
SIGN UP to watch WTA and ATP tour events on DAZN
After a grueling match against the tournament’s No. 1 seed, which saw a 10-8 tiebreak, Bouchard and Stephens were set to take on the team of Shuko Aoyama and Renata Voracova, the No. 2 seed, in the doubles final. It proved to be arguably the toughest draw that the two singles’ stars have had yet. For the past four years, Aoyama has dominated doubles at the Citi Open. Since 2012, Aoyama reached the finals with four different partners — winning three titles in that span.
Voracova became the fourth to do so on Saturday.
Congratulations to the 2017 women's dubs champs, Aoyama and Voracova who defeated Bouchard & Stephens! pic.twitter.com/fdfTHEOXpu
— Tennis View Magazine (@TennisViewMag) August 5, 2017
Aoyama and Voracova defeated Bouchard and Stephens in straight sets — 6-3, 6-2 — in a surprising 59-minute final. Bouchard and Stephens had trouble breaking serve, failing to take advantage on 71 percent of the time. As the match proceeded, Aoyama and Voracova grew stronger and settled in to easily win. Compared to the first set, Aoyama and Voracova improved on service points won as well as second service.
Bouchard, along with Stephens, will travel to Toronto to partake in the Rogers Cup. A few hours after her finals loss, Bouchard is already preparing for singles competition.
The wait is over #RogersCup is here! @geniebouchard is warming up and the #AvivaCentre is full of action!!! #AvivaTennis pic.twitter.com/pNixR9Xmzm
— Aviva Canada (@AvivaCanada) August 5, 2017
MORE: 2017 Rogers Cup: When, where, how to watch
The Rogers Cup will begin on Monday. Bouchard’s opponent has yet to be announced, while Stephens will take on Yulia Putintseva in the opening round.